New Rumor Suggests Star Wars: Episode 7's Villains are Jedi Hunters

We may now have an idea who the central villains (yes, plural) are in Star Wars: Episode VII. Beware of potential spoilers ahead!

Sources from the set of Star Wars: Episode VII have reportedly told Making Star Wars that the film's villains will be a trio of Jedi Hunters played by Lupita Nyong'o, Adam Driver and David Oyelowo. Interestingly, Oyelowo has also been rumored to be playing an unrevealed role on the animated Star Wars Rebels TV series, which is set between the original and prequel trilogies.

On the look of the antagonists, the source notes, "The villains are said to be characterized by black and chrome with troopers in similar black and chrome uniforms," calling the trio "imperial, but very new."

The Jedi Hunters are said to be the reason for there being no New Republic after the events of Return of the Jedi, despite some 30 years having passed since that film. Another source claims the villains are worshipers of the Sith, who want to resurrect them, with their main goal being to "protect the Sith at all costs and insure their survival."

The source also claims to know the path of the next few Star Wars films, saying that Star Wars: Episode VIII will feature an "outnumbered, tired and in need of help" Luke Skywalker, who has been spending the last 30 years of his life trying to stop the Sith's resurrection. For even more, click over to Making Star Wars.

As for Oyelowo, the site seems to think that he may be playing the Imperial Inquisitor in Star Wars Rebels, and therefore possibly in Episode VII as well. But TheForce.net has done their homework and claim that a close analysis of the Rebels minute-long trailer suggests that the actor is actually voicing Imperial Agent Kallus. Give it a listen here:

Clearly this must all be considered rumor at the moment, but what are your thoughts on the description of the Jedi Hunters?

Star Wars: Episode VII arrives in theatres on December 18, 2015.

Anthony Couto is a writer for IGN. He’d like to know what Worf saw in prune juice. Ponder with him on Twitter at @AnthCouto or on IGN at TonyCouto.